Container



Jan. 26, 1965 I.. E. BRAY 3,167,231

CONTAINER Filed June 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

e0/ward E. 51275/ 5 BY E: 777474, film, am

Jan. 26, 1965 E. BRAY 3,167,231

CONTAINER Filed June 14, 1961 2 sheets-sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. leonard 5 Bray BY United States Patent O 3,167,231 CONTAHNER Leonard E. Bray, Fort Worth, Tex., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Champian Papers inc., Hamilton, Ohio Filed June 14, 1961, Ser. No. 117,129

11 Claims. (Cl. 229-1'7)' This invention relates to improvements in paperboard containers and more particularly to a new and improved paperboard container especially designed for the packaging and dispensing of liquids.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved paperboard container especially designed for the packaging and dispensing of liquids, and which container is formed to readily provide a pouring spout upon being opened.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved paperboard container especially 'designed for the packaging and dispensing of liquids, and

which container includes a gable-type closure capable upon being opened to accommodate the dispensing of liquid therefrom, to form a pouring spout and thus facilitate a directional dispensing of said liquid, and wherein said closure may be reclosed after dispensing a portion of the contents therein, being thereby eiiective to close said container and prevent the contents remaining in said container from being spoiled, and/ or contaminated.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved paperboard container having a closure as above referred to, and which closure embodies a structure that is economical in its manufacture and which likewise is substantially simple in its erected assembly, being in addition readily and conveniently manually manipulated to provide a pouring spout or opening for said container.

Additional objects and advantages of the paperboard container of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which it pertains and upon reference to the following disclosure of a preferred embodiment thereof, and which embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specication wherein:

FIG. l is a plan view of a blank for a container embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container erected from the blank of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the gabletype container closure erected from the blank of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is also a fragmentary perspective view of the gable-type closure but showing the same in a partially yopen position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the gabletype closure showing the same in an open or pouring position; and,

FIG. 6 is a sectional View taken on the plane as is indicated approximately by the line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings throughout which like elements are designated by the same reference numeral, and with particular reference directed to FIGS. l and 2 thereof, the instant embodiment of container C is seen to be erected from a blank 16, constructed of a suitable paperboard material, generally rectangular in configuration and which has a plurality of score lines 11-14 formed thereon in parallel spaced relation to thereby dene a series of four rectangular body panels identified respectively by the reference numerals 16 to 19 inclusive.

The blank is intended to be folded along each of said score lines to thereby define a tubular body, the width of each body panel in the instant embodiment being preferably substantially the same dimension to thereby form a rectangular body of square cross sectional configuration.

As is best seen in FIG. l, the aforementioned score 3,167,2'3l Patented Jan. 26, 1'965 ice line 14 is located inwardly of and adjacent to the right edge of the blank 10 to thereby dene a narrow flap 23 which, as will be understood, is intended to be projected into the container body as it is erected so as to lie over the inside surface of the body panel 16 adjacent its free longitudinal edge, said ap being fastened to said surface in a conventional manner to thereby retain the tubular container body in said erected position.

End flaps 26, 27, 28 and 29 comprising the bottom closure of the container C are likewise seen to be integrally formed respectively with the bottom edge of wall panels 16 to 19 inclusive, being hingeably associated with the same by means of transverse score lines 31 to 34. The bottom closure is preferably unitary in its construction in the instant container embodiment and therefore additional score lines 35 to 38, each being respectively a substantial longitudinal continuation of score lines 11-14, may be provided on said closure to facilitate the aforesaid end flaps thereof to be folded and disposed over said bottom end of the container in a substantially flat condition.

As will be understood, the end flaps are folded along said score lines and over the bottom end of the rectangular container body, being sealed each to the other in said folded condition to thereby effectively seal said bottom end and provide a container capable of retaining liquid therein.

As is well known, in modern day practice, the erection and lling of the container C is accomplished by automatic machinery to thereby enable mass quantities of said containers to be processed.

As will also be recognized, at least the inner surface of the container, and preferably both the inner and outer surfaces thereof are coated with a suitable impervious material, in a manner as will be further characterized herein, such as for example a compatible plastic material.

Subsequent to the lling of the container C it is then sealed to thereby protect the contents until the same is to be used.

For this purpose, the container C is provided with a top closure identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 40, and which, in its present form, as is to be seen in FIG. 3, partakes of a gable-like configuration in its fully erected, sealed condition.

As is best seen in FIG. 1, to form the instant top closure 40, the blank 10 is provided with panels 42 to 45 integrally formed respectively with the ends of the body panels 16 to 19 opposite the bottom closure, each of said closure panels being hingeably associated with its respective body panel by a transverse score line 46-49.

The top closure 4t) is likewise unitary in its assembly such that its panels 42 and 43 are preferably hingeably associated along score line 48, a longitudinal extension of score line 11; closure panels 43 and 44 similarly integrally associated, along score line 49; and panels 44 and 45 by score line 5t).

The aforementioned narrow sealing ilap 23 is likewise preferably provided with an extension ilap portion 23a located alongside the closure panel 45 being hingeably associated with the latter by score line 53, a continuation of score line 14. A transverse score line 54 connecting at one end with score line 49 and to thus deue the upper end of sealing iiap 23 hingeably associates the latter with the extension flap portion 23a.

Each of the closure panels 43 and 45 is provided with a sealing flap on the free end thereof opposite its connected body panel 17, 19, respectively, said flaps being identified at 55 and 56, and which are preferably rectangular in configuration, extending completely across said panels, each being hingeably associated with its respective closure panel at score line 57, 58. Score line 57 is seen to extend across its panel 43 in parallel-spaced ,relationto Vscore line,V 47'` andconnecting t. at its opposite ends withscore lines 48-and 49; whereas score line 58 extends across panel 45 to similarly connect with score lines 50 and 53. l l Y Score line-S isalso seen to continue past score` line 53 soY as to delineatab V6i) on the upper end` of the ex! tension flap portion23a. l Y

v Closurepanel 432islikewise seento be formedAwith score line. 61k which connects atits onev end with the junci ture lof scorelinesj47, .48 and49 and extends angularly across said panel so as to intersectV score line 57 .intermediatethe ends of. the latter'. Y v I n Closure panel is also formed With-score line 62 .which communicatesat its `onev end aty the juncture of score lines 48 andy 49, and extendsanguljarlyV across said panel 50 as to intersectscore line `58- inv like manner. I

. Thevremaining top, closure: panels 42. and 44,: as best seen in FIG. 1, are each provided Vwith* a pair of score 45I outwardly about score linesl, 62..so.,as to rupturethe seal along the sealingaps and Sato a mid-point thereon v,or approximately to the point where vthe aforesaid Vscore lines 61 and 62tintercep't the score lines V57 and 58. As the said panels43 and 45' are thus swung ioutwardly,y thejinherentresilient characteristics of the paperboardv material in part causes the centerv subpanel 44dV of closure. panel 44 and the adjoiningsubpanels 44C and 44e to swing partiallyY outwardly along their score Vio lines, each pair being identified respectively by the refer-` i ence numerals 42a and 44a, andf which vare seen toV convergefrom the opposite endsrespectively of scorelines 46, `48 and project across said panels so as fodene in each of the latter threepsubstantiallytriangular-'shaped f subpanels,'the subpanels thus formed inV closure panel 42 beingidenticd at 42e, 42d and 421e' respectively; the subpanels in closure panel 44' being y'similarly identifi'edat 44C, 44d anrd744e.

' .located onV said subpanel, whereby the said perforated Vline extends across.saidsubpanelwith its'central portion Vin. substantial parallel spaced relationV to. the score line '67 and itsfopposite endsproject upwardly therefrom as seeny in FIG. l,A perpendicularlyofV said central portion,

Y to thusvconnectvwith the top edge of said subpanel.

The aforesaid pair of convergingl score lines 42:1 con- Y.

nect at the apex'thereof'V centrally withscorexline 65 formed on saidclosure panel 42 Yadjacent its freev end, said 'score line'65 f projecting therelacrosqs in substantial parallel-spaced relation to score line 46" to thus define aV surmounting rectangular` vsubpanelwhichis centrally divided by score line 71 ,into two equal panel parts 76a and 70b.

In similar fashion, hekpair of converging scoreV lines 44a formed in closure panel 44 ,connect atrthe apex thereof centrally with score line 167V formed on said panelv adjacentitsefreefend, said scoreA line projecting across the latter parallel'to score line 43 to thus delinea surmounting, subpanel 751which, .in turn, is 'centrally divided by score line 76 into panel parts 75a and 75b.

Toferect the top closure 40,. as thus far described and withthe container body in itsy erected tubularform, the closure panels 42 and 44 are foldedv inwardly toward each other along score lines 46 and 48 and over the open end of said body, said panels .also folding along their converging score lines 42a, 44a to the position v therefor as is shown in FIG..3. In this position, each of *said panels 42 and 44 define aV three-sided cavity on each end of the.`

lclosure 40,.oneof said end cavities being'identied in FIG. 3 bythe reference character K;

YWithtlie panels'42 and,44.thus positioned, thefremaining closure panels 43..and 45 are swung about score `lines 47 andl 49. over thelatter to form the sloping Isidesof the gable-typeclosure, whereafter'the' sealing flaps 5S' andy y 56 maybe sealedto each otherin a'conventional ma'n-K ner such as, for example,-through the 'application Vof heat With this construction, and as maybe best seen in FIGS.

Y 3 andywhen ,the top closure-40 is in its fully erected position, the inside surface of the rectangular strip 79, the latter beingV folded along the' central score line 76, is in .face-to-face relation with the Yinside adjoining surfaces of the sealing flaps 55 and Sof the overlying side closure panels 43and- 45,-respectively. 4 Y

yIn thus erected position it is intended that as the sealing flaps are sealed to eachother to thereby seal the container.

. C as is above described, the'inside surface of the strip 79 is also afiixed to--said'adjoiningap surfaces.

.As aforementioned, it is customary to coatlthe; papern boardblank 10 on either and/ or both its inside and outside surfaces vwith aninperviousmaterial. In the latter case, it

v is'required'thatthe outside surface of the strip 79, or that exteriorl strip surface that is folded over vupon itself in fact-to-face relation .with the closure V40v in its closedsealed position, is left uncoated, or in the alternative is provided witha coat of non-sealing material thereon.

. With this assembly, and with particular reference directed to FIGS'. 4 and 5, it-will berseen that as the side closure panels A43, and45A are'swung outwardly to their open position as is above described, t-he subpanels 44C, 44d and 44e of thel underlying end panel 44 tends to move away frornthesame lwhereby :the strip 79 afiixedto the sealing flaps V55, -56 of said side closure panels 43 and 45 f tears faway fromnthe surmounting Ysubpanel 75 .thereby forming a'recess in the same and of similarrconfiguration and pressure whereby the plastic material on the adjoinx ing surfaces of the'said flaps is plasticized sufficiently to form a seal therebetween. v

TheY flap extension 23a and `the tab V60 surmounted thereon, in the erected position for the closure 40, are' designed to'lie against the inner surface of the' subpanel 42e and panel part 70a, respectively, being sealed in like manner to said. surfaces to thereby retain 4saidclosurein its fully erected-closed-position. v

' The container C, being filled and sealed in the manner just described is then available for distribution to' the consumer as will be understood. .Y v

To subsequently open the sealed'container preparatoryY to dispensing the liquid. therefrom, pressure .is directed to be vapplied to the opposed corners on one end of they closure as is indicated bythe directional arrowspV in FIG. 43 sufficiently to fold ,theside closure panels 43 andY as isidentifiedin'FICijSy bythe reference numeral80.

And,v asjtheV aforesaid l closure panels y43 and 45 'nare Vfurther movedV to their fully-opened position as is depicted f ,in E IG.;5,-the subpanels 44e, 44d* and 44e-of said end panel 44, rswing outwardly to form a trough-like pouring spout with the Vaforementioned recess 80 thereby defining n a recessed lip therefor. Hence, it will now be realized,

that as the containerC is tilted so as to dispense the liquid therefrom through the pouring spoutsaid liquid may be readily confined within the recessed lip portion thereof to thereby control-its direction of ow.-

f It Vwill be further realized, that with the surmounted subpanel weakened as by perforating to form the strip 79, theilip thus formed upon the separation of said strip, from said. subpanel 75 gis substantially well defined and swung to 'its-closed position yto again form the aforesaid gable cavity and the adjoining ends of side panels 43 and 45 are swung inwardly toward each other whereby the separated strip 79 is disposed within the recessed lip 80 to thus effectively close said container.

Having thus described in detail a preferred embodiment of container embodying the present invention, it is realized that the said container is susceptible to various modifications, combinations and arrangements of parts without departing from the inventive concepts thereof as are defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a paperboard container having a tubular body closed at one end, a gable-type closure on the opposite end of said body comprising a pair of side panels connectable with opposed sides of said body, each of said side panels having a sealing fiap formed along its one end, `a pair of end panels, a subpanel formed on one of said end panels, said end panels being connectable to the sides of said body adjoining said opposed sides thereof, said end panels being fold-able so as to project over said body and define a gable cavity at each end of said closure, said side panels projecting over said end panels and said sealing flaps being sealed to each other to thereby define a gable-type closure in its sealed position, said one end panel being weakened along its subpanel, said weakened portion of said subpanel being sealed to the sealing flaps overlying the same, each of said side panels being swingable away from each other effective to separate said weakened portion from said subpanel and thereby define a pour spout in the latter having a lip part corresponding to the configuration of said separated portion.

2. In a paperboard container having a tubular body closed at one end, a gable-type closure on the opposite end of said body comprising a pair of side panels connectable with opposed sides of said body, each of said side panels having a sealing flap formed along its one end, a pair of end panels, a subpanel formed on one of said end panels,

said end panels being connectable to the sides of said body adjoining said opposed sides thereof, said end panels being foldable so as to project over said body and define a gable cavity at each end of said closure, said side panels projecting over said end panels and said sealing flaps being sealed to each other to thereby define a gable-type closure in its sealed position, one of said end panels being weakened longitudinally along its subpanel, said weakened portion of said panel being sealed to the sealing flaps overlying the same, each of said side panels being scored adjacent said one end panel to define a hinge line thereon, said side panels being swingable about said hinge lines away from each other, effective to partially unfold said one end panel and to separate said weakened portion from said subpanel on said one end panel and thereby define a pouring spout in the latter having a lip part corresponding to the configuration of said separated portion.

3. In a paperboard container having a tubular body closed at one end, a gable-type closure on the opposite end of said body comprising a pair of side panels connectable with opposed sides of said body, each of said side panels having a sealing flap formed along its one end, a pair of end panels each having score lines defining a plurality of subpanels, said subpanels on one of said end panels connecting with a surmounting subpanel, said end panels being connectable to the sides of said body adjoining said opposed sides thereof, said end panels being foldable along said score lines so as to project over said body and define a gable cavity at each end of said closure, said side panels projecting over said end panels and said Sealing fiaps being sealed to each other to thereby define a gable-type closure in its closed position, said surmounting subpanel being weakened and said weakened portion of said subpanel being sealed to the sealing fiaps overlying the same, each of said side panels being swingable away from each other, effective to partially unfold said one end panel and to separate said weakened portion from said subpanel and thereby define a pour spout in the latter having a lip part corresponding to the configuration of said separated portion.

4. In a paperboard container having a tubular body closed at one end, a gable-type closure on the opposite end of said body comprising a pair of side panels connectable with opposed sides of said body, each of said side panels having a sealing ap formed along its one end, a pair of end panels each having converging score lines defining a plurality of subpanels, said subpanels on one 0f said end panels connecting with a surmounting subpanel, said end panels being connectable to the sides of said body adjoining said opposed sides thereof, said end panels being foldable along said converging score lines so as to project over said body and define a gable cavity at each end of said closure, said side panels projecting over said end panels and said sealing flaps being sealed to each other to thereby define a gable-type closure in its closed position, one of said end panels being weakened longitudinally along its surmounting subpanel, said weakened portion of said panel being sealed to the sealing aps overlying the same, each of said side panels being scored adjacent said one end panel to define a hinge line thereon, said side panels being swingable about said hinge lines away from each other, effective to partially unfold said one end panel and to separate said weakened portion from said surmounting subpanel and thereby define a pour spout in the latter having a lip part corresponding to the configuration of said separated portion.

5. In a paperboard container as is defined in claim 4 and wherein the side closure panels are substantially rectangular in configuration.

6. In a paperboard container as is defined in claim 4 and wherein the weakened portion on said surmounting subpanel when separated from the latter is effective to define a lip part on the pour spout of substantial rectangular configuration.

7. In a paperboard container as is defined in claim 4 and wherein the hinge lines defined on said side panels extend angularly across the same from said one end panel.

8. In a paperboard container as is defined in claim 4 and wherein the weakened portion is substantially centrally located on said surmounting subpanel.

9. In a paperboard container as is defined in claim 4 and wherein as the weakened portion -is separated from said surmounting subpanel it defines a recessed lip on said pour spout.

10. In a paperboard container as is defined in claim 9 and wherein said recessed lip is located centrally on said pour spout.

11. In a paperboard container having a tubular body closed at one end, a gable-type closure on the opposite end of said body comprising a pair of side panels connectable with opposed sides of said body, each of said side panels having a sealing flap formed along its one end, a pair of end panels each having converging score lines defining a plurality of subpanels, said subpanels on one of said end panels connecting with a surmounting subpanel, said end panels being connectable to the sides of said body adjoining said opposed sides thereof, said end panels being foldable along said converging score lines so as to project over said body and define a gable cavity at each end of said closure, said side panels projecting over said end panels and said sealing flaps being sealed to each other in face contacting outwardly projecting relation to thereby define a gable-type closure in its closed position, one of said end panels being perforated longitudinally along its surmounting subpanel, said perforated portion of said end panel being sealed to and clamped between the lower portion of the sealing fiaps, each o f said side panels being scored adjacent said one end panel to define a hinge line thereon, said side panels being swingable about said hinge lines away from each other, effective to partially unfold said one end panel and to separate said perforated portion from said surmounting subpanel 

11. IN A PAPERBOARD CONTAINER HAVING A TUBULAR BODY CLOSED AT ONE END, A GABLE-TYPE CLOSURE ON THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID BODY COMPRISING A PAIR OF SIDE PANELS CONNECTABLE WITH OPPOSED SIDES OF SAID BODY, EACH OF SAID SIDE PANELS HAVING A SEALING FLAP FORMED ALONG ITS ONE END, A PAIR OF END PANELS EACH HAVING CONVERGING SCORE LINES DEFINING A PLURALITY OF SUBPANELS, SAID SUBPANELS ON ONE OF SAID END PANELS CONNECTING WITH A SURMOUNTING SUBPANEL, SAID END PANELS BEING CONNECTABLE TO THE SIDES OF SAID BODY ADJOINING SAID OPPOSED SIDES THEREOF, SAID END PANELS BEING FOLDABLE ALONG SAID CONVERGING SCORE LINES SO AS TO PROJECT OVER SAID BODY AND DEFINE A GABLE CAVITY AT EACH END OF SAID CLOSURE, SAID SIDE PANELS PROJECTING OVER SAID END PANELS AND SAID SEALING FLAPS BEING SEALED TO EACH OTHER IN FACE CONTACTING OUTWARDLY PROJECTING RELATION TO THEREBY DEFINE A GABLE-TYPE CLOSURE IN ITS CLOSED POSITION, ONE OF SAID END PANELS BEING PERFORATED LONGITUDINALLY ALONG ITS SURMOUNTING SUBPANEL, SAID PERFORATED PORTION OF SAID END PANEL BEING SEALED TO AND CLAMPED 